Occupy Detroit is looking for medical professionals to volunteer their services for an occupation of Grand Circus Park that they hope will last at least 60 days.

High winds about 10 a.m. Saturday morning knocked a heavy metal police barricade on top of one of 30 tents, breaking the nose of one of the occupants.

While nothing else more serious has befallen any of the estimated several dozen protesters who have braved a cold Friday and Saturday night at Grand Circus, located downtown off Woodward Avenue near the Fox Theater and Comerica Park, leaders of Occupy Detroit's first aid station want to prepare for anything.

They are taking the names, cell phone numbers and email addresses of medical professionals.

So far, a midwife, paramedic, a medical assistant and a nurse has volunteered to be on-call. Organizers are especially looking for certified nurses, physician assistants, nurse practioners, physicians and those trained in CPR.

Sunday, Oct. 16, Occupy Detroit held a General Assembly at noon to discuss how to reach consensus agreement on proposals and to plan the next 60 days of protests. Eventually, leaders say they want to come up with a list of demands.

But for now, the General Assembly heard reports of the various committees, which include media (public relations, marketing, website development, video and photography), medical (first aid), information and welcome table, food, safety (night patrols and police liaison), legal (National Lawyers Guild partnership), finance (long-term fund-raising), outreach and direct action (protest organization), students (college and high school needs) and education (soap box for public complaints).

Occupy Detroit is part of an organic protest movement in more than 70 American cities and 600 communities that started last month in New York City. The larger movement, called Occupy Wall Street, is based in Zuccotti Park that is on the doorsteps of major Wall Street banks.

Protesters have stated their intentions are to begin a discussion in America to point out the social and economic inequalities and unhealthy connection between corporate money and lobbyists on government.

What do you think about the protests?

My initial take is the protesters - who ranged in age from 5 to 75 - are a serious and enthusiastic bunch. They are determined about staying at the park and doing what they feel needs to be done to make their collective voices heard. They see themselves as part of a worldwide movement that includes protesters in Egypt, Syria, Europe and China (there are reports of protests in 952 cities in 82 countries).

The protesters also realize there are many diverse opinions in the movement. They are taking great care to make sure everyone understands the process and that the ideals of participatory Democracy are upheld.

Several protesters told me that most people are generally supportive of their efforts to discuss America's problems that include lack of good-paying jobs, the growing disparity between the rich and the poor, the influence of big business and the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans on laws, policies and regulations and the growing threat to the environment from a lack of attention to climate change and the dangers of global warming caused by human activities.

However, some people walking past the protests have yelled out insults that include "Get a job," "Cut your hair," and "go home and stop whining."

Leave a comment and keep the conversation going. I plan on updating this blog as time and events warrant.

10-17-2011 update

Here are highlights of some of the proposals approved by the General Assembly Sunday afternoon.

Decision made to march Tuesday at noon to the Bank of America headquarters in Detroit located in the Guardian Building to deliver letter about the bank's practice on foreclosing homes. People will speak who have had their homes foreclosed by Bank of America.

Agreement to march every Thursday at noon to protest state welfare cuts. The march primarily is organized by Michigan Welfare Rights.

The next General Assembly meeting is slated for Wednesday, Oct. 19, at noon, although there was a discussion about holding meetings more often.

There was concern aired about decisions to engage in civil disobedience. The general consensus was there would be civil disobedience and that some people might get arrested. Immigrants were warned that they could face stiffer consequences if they are arrested.

Finally, there was a discussion about LaRouche supporters who are in the campgrounds and how they may need to be confronted. The concern was that LaRouche ideas could be attached to the Occupy Detroit movement. No decision was made on what to do.